Family Caregiver Pay in Georgia:SFC vs Other Medicaid Options

Medicaid does not pay one standard amount to family caregivers in Georgia. What a relative earns depends on which program pays them and how that program sets its rate. Some options pay a daily stipend. Others pay wages for the work you do.

This guide compares how each option pays: who the employer is, what the pay is based on, and where to find the current figures. We do not list amounts here, because they change. We link to the official sources instead.

Family caregiver pay in Georgia at a glance

• No single rate: each program sets pay its own way
• Structured Family Caregiving (SFC): a daily stipend for a live-in relative, paid through an agency
• Self-directed personal support (EDWP): the member hires the worker, and a payroll agent pays them
• NOW and COMP family hire: hourly wages from a yearly budget, through a fiscal agent
• VA family caregiver program: a monthly stipend for eligible Veterans' caregivers
• Taxes: IRS Notice 2014-7 may apply to live-in caregivers

Who can be paid as a family caregiver under each option?

Each program has its own rules on who can be the paid caregiver. The table below shows what the official sources say. Where a source is silent, we say so.

The SFC rules come from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. The NOW and COMP rules come from DBHDD's family hire request form. The VA rules come from the VA's caregiver program page.

How does each option pay a family caregiver?

This is the main difference between the options. Some pay a set daily or monthly stipend. Others pay wages for the hours you work.

How does Structured Family Caregiving pay?

SFC pays a stipend, not a wage. Georgia's EDWP provider manual says SFC agencies provide coaching, support and a daily stipend to live-in family caregivers. The state's SFC public notice describes payment at a per diem rate.

At A1-GA, SFC caregivers are paid by direct deposit every two weeks; the amount is set by the loved one's assessed level of care. The manual also describes daily notes. You record changes or concerns each day, and the agency reviews them. A health coach gives you ongoing support by phone or online.

For a full walk-through of how the SFC rate is set, read how SFC pay is set in Georgia.

How do hourly, self-directed options pay?

In self-directed options, the person receiving care becomes the employer. You work for them, not for an agency. A payroll partner handles the paperwork.

Self-directed personal support under EDWP

The DCH EDWP fact sheet says the member "hires and supervises" the worker of their choice. The member must also choose a Financial Management Services provider. That provider issues the paychecks.

Before work starts, Georgia's provider manual requires a fingerprint background check. Paid services cannot begin until the date on an authorization from the fiscal intermediary. Workers must then record daily work in Georgia's electronic visit verification (EVV) system.

NOW and COMP family hire

DBHDD's participant direction handbook says the participant is the employer and the fiscal agent acts as their employer agent. The fiscal agent issues payroll checks and pays withholdings. The participant decides how much to pay staff, but the total must fit within the yearly budget.

DBHDD's family hire form adds a cap. A family hire's pay rate cannot be more than what a traditional provider bills Medicaid. Staff sign in and out for each shift, and the employer approves the timesheets.

1. 1

   Enroll the person first

   The loved one must qualify for and enroll in the waiver.

2. 2

   Choose the option

   Decide between agency-run care, SFC or self-direction with the program's coordinator.

3. 3

   Set up payroll

   For self-direction, pick a fiscal agent or Financial Management Services provider.

4. 4

   Pass the checks

   Complete the background check and any required training.

5. 5

   Start and record

   Work only after authorization, and keep the records each option requires.

How does the VA pay a family caregiver?

The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays a monthly stipend to the Primary Family Caregiver. The caregiver must be enrolled in direct deposit to receive it.

The VA's stipend page explains how the amount is set. It starts from a federal General Schedule pay rate for the area where the Veteran lives. The VA then applies one of two levels, based on its evaluation of the Veteran's personal care needs.

Is family caregiver pay taxable?

It can depend on where you live. IRS Notice 2014-7 lets certain Medicaid waiver payments be treated as difficulty of care payments. Those payments may be excluded from gross income. The rule applies when the care is given in the provider's own home, where the person receiving care also lives.

That fits SFC, which requires a live-in caregiver. It may also fit self-directed hourly work, but only if the worker lives with the person. Confirm your situation with a tax professional. Our IRS Notice 2014-7 guide explains more.

Does Medicare pay family caregivers?

No. Medicare.gov says Medicare does not pay for long-term care or custodial care unless medical care is needed. Read our guide on whether Medicare pays family caregivers for the details.

Which pay option fits your family?

There is no best option for everyone. The right one depends on where you live and how much structure you want.

Ask these questions before you decide:

• Do I live in the same home as my loved one?
• Do I want a set daily stipend, or wages for hours worked?
• Is my loved one, or their representative, ready to act as an employer?
• Which program is my loved one already enrolled in, or likely to qualify for?
• Have I checked the tax rules with a professional?

How A1-GA Healthcare Agency helps

A1-GA Healthcare Agency is a Georgia DCH-approved provider of Structured Family Caregiving and EDWP services in Norcross. We have provided in-home care since 2008 and staffed caregivers since 2004. As your SFC agency, we handle the paperwork, pay the caregiver and provide ongoing coaching.

We can explain how SFC compares with the other options for your family. Learn more about SFC with A1-GA, read our guide to getting paid to care for a family member, or check your eligibility.

• Phone: 678-446-1832
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
• Email: info@gahac.com
• Office: 4505 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suite K, Norcross, GA 30092
• Eligibility: free online form or our eligibility page